The Washington Wizards entered the season looking to turn things around and prove that after years of stacking talent, the organization was heading in the right direction,
Outside of a couple sophomore leaps from Alex Sarr and Kyshawn George, it feels safe to say the Wizards start to the season has been filled with more negatives than positives.
Washington's made it clear that this season was about the development of the team's young core, but with the flurry of offseason additions, headlined by the trade for veteran guard CJ McCollum and one of the most explosive young wings in the NBA, Cam Whitmore, there was some hope that the Wizards could make a leap larger than some expected.
And between Whitmore's irrational confidence entering the season, the fanbase quickly got behind the idea that the team could be a sleeper in the East.
However, with an abysmal start to the season, it's becoming abundantly clear the fanbase will have to settle on the growth of young players being the biggest wins for the organization this season.
For a rebuilding team, any sign of improvement is a good indication the team is heading in the right direction, but for a team like the Wizards, they should be turning every leaf possible to see which players have real potential by the end of the season.
So far, Washington's coaching staff has been ignoring arguably the biggest hidden gem the roster has to offer.
Tristan Vukcevic deserves more playing time
Tristan Vukcevic entered the season with high expectations following not only a strong end to last season, but an offseason full or work with the likes of three-time MVP Nikola Jokic.
The 7-foot forward is a former second-round pick, and although the Wizards don't have as much invested in his development compared to the likes of prospects like Tre Johnson, Bub Carrington, Sarr or George, there's absolutely no reason the Serbian product shouldn't be on the floor.
Vukcevic has shown real flashes of his ability to not only be a floor spacer, but a versatile talent on the offensive end with playmaking potential and his finishing around the rim.
Compared to players like Marvin Bagley III, who the Wizards have little to nothing invested in, it's hard to imagine that head coach Brian Keefe is ignoring Vukcevic to the point he can't find any minutes in the frontcourt for the young forward.
At some point this season, Washington has to make it a priority to get Vukcevic on the court.